Our Team

Therapists and Staff

Sara Shaver

Sara Shaver, LMFT Director/Psychotherapist

Sara Shaver is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. After earning her degree in psychology and social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she obtained her Master’s degree from Northern Illinois University. Before becoming involved in outpatient mental health, Sara worked as an in-home family therapist and became involved with wraparound services. In 2010 she became the co-founder/co-director of Compass Counseling. Sara works with individuals, couples, and families. She specializes in grief, co-parenting, couples and family therapy.

Sara is a certified Grief Support Specialist, Prepare/Enrich (premarital assessments) counselor and is often called upon to conduct Critical Incident Debriefings. She’s had trainings in DBT, Trauma-Focused CBT, Divorce Mediation, and Level I & II of Gottman Couples Therapy. Sara is a consultant with White Pine Consulting, an agency that works with the state promoting and training the process of Wraparound. Giving presentations is a strength of hers. Sara serves on various committees in the community, is active in her church, and is a core team member for the volunteer organization Sleep in Heavenly Peace. In her free time she enjoys playing cards, traveling, reading and her “happy place” is being with her husband and three adult children at the lake.

Sarah Kravick

Sarah Kravick, LMFT, IMH-E ® Director/Psychotherapist

Sarah graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a major in psychology and an emphasis on child-youth care. She completed her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Indiana State University. Upon completion of graduate school, Sarah began working with children and their families, providing in-home family therapy. She has been working with children, families, and individuals in outpatient mental health since 2003. In June 2010, Sarah became the co-founder of Compass Counseling. Sarah graduated in the second cohort of the University of Wisconsin's certificate program for Infant, Early Childhood, and Family Mental Health.

In addition to being licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist, Sarah is nationally rostered as a clinician in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Specialist by the Wisconsin Alliance of Infant Mental Health.

Along with her clinical work, Sarah provides Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Reflective Consultation and

Danielle Pollex-Rabl

Danielle Pollex-Rabl, LCSW Psychotherapist

Hello. You've made a very wise choice by checking out Compass Counseling. A great group of professionals. I'm Danielle, and I've had the privilege of working at Compass since 2011. I work with all types of clients. I've had training and experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds in a variety of settings to work effectively with most individuals, couples, and families. Prenatal, Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle and High School, Adult, Late Life…. I can't wait for the next person or family to honor me with their experience. My counseling style is to meet you where you are, hear your story, and then help you identify what your goals are. From there, I can share effective strategies to help you manage your stressors and challenges and build on your strengths. Self-care, communication, managing stress and intense feelings (DBT), understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (CBT), and other approaches are effective at managing childhood, adult, family, and couple mental health challenges. Also, as a person or family member, I have a lot of experience teaming with natural and professional support (wraparound). Most recently, I've had childhood trauma, couples therapy, and anxiety intensive training. My licensure is LCSW, with a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work from UW Madison. I have worked with children, adults, and families for years prior to Compass. I wish you well on your journey and would be eager to help.

Kristen Hansen

Kristen Hansen Psychotherapist

Kristen Hansen graduated from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2008 with a B.S. in Child Psychology. For the last several years, Kristen has worked with children ages birth to five and their families by providing in-home services and infant, early childhood, and family mental health support. In 2017, she completed the University of Wisconsin's certificate program for Infant, Early Childhood, and Family Mental Health. Kristen is also a registered Circle of Security Parenting program facilitator and appreciates the opportunity to share and witness the innate power of the parent-child relationship. Wanting to expand upon both her passion and abilities to support children, families, and individuals with their mental health, Kristen completed her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2020 from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She joined Compass in September 2019 and has enjoyed continuing to work with young children and their families, as well as broadening her experience to include working with individuals of all ages and couples. When she is not working, Kristen spends time enjoying activities like camping, hiking, kayaking, gardening, boating, cooking, watching the latest Netflix series, or being with her family and friends.

Crystal Lumby

Crystal Lumby Psychotherapist

Crystal is a licensed professional counselor. She graduated in 2014 from Kaplan University with her bachelor's degree in psychology with an emphasis on child development and then received her Master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Capella University-Minnesota in 2018. Before becoming involved in outpatient mental health, Crystal was involved with in-home behavioral health treatment with children on the autism spectrum and their families. In 2018, Crystal joined Compass Counseling to work with individuals, couples, and families and found herself particularly drawn to working with children and adolescents.

She has a passion for working with LGBTQ clients and their loved ones. Her special interests include self-esteem, ADHD, stress management, anxiety, DID, and schizophrenia. Her favorite approaches include play therapy techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, and incorporating family therapy to help improve one's well-being and mental health. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, watching movies, playing tennis, and attending plays.

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Mel Trago Psychotherapist

Mel started with Compass in 2023 as a Counseling Intern and completed her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2024. She has a passion for advocacy, research and education in the counseling field. These passions led her to continue formal education as a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision.
Mel enjoys working with adolescents and adults. Some common clinical areas she works with are: life transitions, anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, emotion regulation and trauma. She likes to incorporate neuroscience, relationships and cultural contexts to inform her work with clients.
Mel believes we move and change through relationships, for better or worse. We are relational beings. Because of this, she believes strongly in the power of the therapeutic relationship and other growth-fostering relationships.  Mel values authenticity and clients can expect that from her.
Development, wellness and prevention are key aspects of her counseling lens. Thus, Mel believes in “walking the walk” if she “talks the talk.” Mel makes time for wellness and relationships in her time outside of Compass. She enjoys playing cards with friends, kayaking with her family, hiking, and reading. She has 3 dogs and 3 kids who bring humor and joy to her life.
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Katie Stratton

Intern

 
My name is Katie, and I’m excited to be part of the team as an intern through the University of Wisconsin-Superior. I will be graduating with my master's degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling in May 2025, after completing my internship with Compass. I earned my bachelor's degree in Global Health from Arizona State University, which inspired me to volunteer internationally. During my travels, I participated in various public health and mental health initiatives focused on supporting, educating, and empowering women and children in underserved communities.
I enjoy working with individuals of all ages who are looking to address stress, anxiety, life transitions, grief and loss, relationship improvement, problem-solving and coping skills. I utilize a strengths-based approach that combines solution-focused, person-centered, and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. I believe therapy provides a transformative environment for self-exploration and growth, allowing individuals to confront their challenges while leveraging their innate strengths to foster positive change.
In my free time, I enjoy a variety of activities that help me unwind and recharge. Reading is my favorite pastime, as it allows me to explore new ideas and immerse myself in different worlds. I love to travel to new places or revisit familiar ones. Another passion of mine is playing disc golf; it combines my love for the outdoors with a bit of friendly competition. Hiking and kayaking offer me the chance to connect with nature. Lastly, I cherish time spent with my family and my dog. Each of these activities contributes to my overall well-being and creativity. 
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Heidi Accola

Psychotherapist

I enjoy working with people of all ages and walks of life. I believe we each have dignity and value, and I believe that we all have an important role in our families, workplaces, friend groups, and society. I enjoy working with clients to identify unmet needs, gaps between values and behavior, unprocessed trauma, “stuck” places, and areas of strength and resilience. As a therapist, I create a place of connection, safety, and enjoyment with my clients in which to do the work of healing. Identifying feelings, beliefs, and nervous system states are core to my work with clients.

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in 1996 with my bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education. For 26 years after graduation, I worked in a variety of capacities in healthcare, organic farming, and domestic violence advocacy. These were also the years in which my spouse and I raised our son and daughter to adulthood. At that point, I went back to school and received my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Wisconsin – Stout. I joined Compass Counseling for my internship in 2021 and am staying on post-graduation!

I have training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and earned my certificate from UW Stout in Sex Therapy. I use a mixture of experiential, IFS, and emotionally focused therapy to help my clients identify, heal, integrate, and grow the parts of them that bring pain and joy.

To relax, enjoy life, and embrace my full humanity, I love many outdoor physical activities, including biking, running, hiking, swimming, kayaking, and cross-country skiing. I also enjoy quieter pursuits such as playing games, weaving baskets, reading, and woodworking. If I can do these things with friends or family, that is even better.

In working with me, I can give you my word that I will work hard to know, understand, see, and value you, and I will work hard to help you realize your goals for therapy and life.

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Madison Bear (She/Her/Hers)

Psychotherapist

Madison graduated from Concordia St. Paul University with a bachelor's degree in Sport Psychology in 2019. She recently completed her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Minnesota State University- Moorhead.

Madison enjoys working with adolescents and adults transitioning from one stage of life to another. She recognizes that when faced with adversity, we can uncover the immense potential that exists within each and every one of us. She also works with individuals experiencing a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, self-esteem, stress management, and self-exploration.

Madison works from a strengths-based perspective while integrating solution-focused, person-centered, and cognitive behavioral therapy. She believes therapy can provide an opportunity to become the best possible version of oneself in correspondence with one’s own unique strengths, qualities, and characteristics.

In her spare time, Madison enjoys curling, playing sports, reading, traveling, and catching up on the latest movies and shows.

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Brianna Capesius

Psychotherapist

Brianna graduated from University of Wisconsin - Whitewater with her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling in 2018. She started her career as a school counselor who worked in the Dodgeville and Baraboo School Districts. She decided to switch modalities to focus on Clinical Counseling in 2022 and joined the Compass Counseling team.

Bri enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults in individual, couples, or family therapy for all types of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and overall life stressors. In addition to talk therapy, Bri likes to incorporate theories such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Constructivist theory, and Solutions-Focused therapy. She enjoys bringing in art and music into her sessions and believes that nature is a powerful tool for healing.

In her free time, Bri enjoys painting, singing, fishing, hiking, and spending time with her children, family, and friends.

Michelle Nummerdor

Michelle Nummerdor Administrative Assistant

I am our Administrative Assistant. I joined the Compass Team in 2019, and I love coming to work and being able to greet each client with a hello and a smile. I grew up in Montello, WI, attended UW Stevens Point, and then moved to Portage in 2006 when I got married. My husband and I have two beautiful girls, a cat, and a dog. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, hiking, camping, and spending time with family and friends. I am also active in my church as the handbell director.

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Sam Vohs Intern

Sam is a Marriage and Family Therapist intern through Capella University. She started working with Compass in January of 2024 and will graduate in December of 2025 with her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. In 2005, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin- Stout in Family and Consumer Education and obtained a teaching license for ages 0-21 Family and Consumer Education. For nearly 18 years, Sam taught Family and Consumer Education courses to middle school and high school students. She was delighted to complete her years in education by teaching 2 years of Kindergarten at a small private school.

Sam enjoys working with clients of all ages and stages of life and strives to fully understand a client’s unique worldview. She is especially passionate about increasing self-esteem and efficacy in clients, easing transitions in family life, including couple counseling, postpartum difficulties, parenting, and general family stressors. She is particularly interested in treating anxiety, depression, panic disorder, trauma, and communication issues in relationships.

Sam approaches therapy with a systemic mindset, always considering the client’s relationships that are both inside and outside of the therapy room. Sam believes therapy is a collaboration between therapist and client and together they will set and work towards goals. She is a strengths-based therapist that utilizes emotion-focused therapy, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, and draws practical skills from DBT- a type of therapy that helps regulate intense emotions. Sam is also interested in Play Therapy with children.

In her free time, Sam spends time with her friends, family (husband and 3 children), and pets (1 dog and 3 cats). She loves running, yoga, skiing, golfing, reading, music, trying out the latest subscription, and documentaries on Netflix.